YESSSSS, Pirlo starting, man I've been lobbying for this like forever. :strong:
Btw, if he stinks you're welcome to stick it to me
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Trap puts Pirlo in pole position
Tuesday 17 February, 2004
Giovanni Trapattoni plans to field Andrea Pirlo plus Azzurri new boy Stefano Bettarini from the start against the Czech Republic.
The Italy squad played with the 4-2-3-1 system in a game between ranks during today’s training session at Palermo’s Stadio Barbera.
Over 1,500 fans were in the arena to watch the warm-up and cheer on those stars who will take on the Czechs on Wednesday evening.
This is an important test for Pirlo, who has excelled in a deeper midfield role with European Champions Milan.
A former Under-21 international, he had been frozen out of the squad since the new tactical system was introduced.
The ex-Inter man could be given a new position as part of the trident supporting lone striker Christian Vieri.
This means that on-form Lazio man Stefano Fiore could be pushed back to a deeper role alongside Chievo's Simone Perrotta.
There will be a very experimental defence on show due to the absence of Fabio Cannavaro and Marco Materazzi.
32-year-old Stefano Bettarini will receive his first international cap as the left-back flanked by Nicola Legrottaglie, Alessandro Nesta and Christian Panucci.
There were worried faces during this match, as Inter defender Daniele Adani suffered a minor knee problem, but he was able to carry on.
The game between ranks ended 1-1 with goals from Panucci for the ‘first choice’ eleven and an Antonio Di Natale equaliser.
Due to the friendly nature of this test with the Czech Republic – and protests from the big clubs over the use of their stars – Sampdoria wide man Sergio Volpi and Parma midfielder Simone Barone will receive their debuts during the second half.
It is a particularly tough choice of opponent for the Azzurri, as Pavel Nedved’s nation is unbeaten since Nov 2001 and Italy have only ever won one of their previous thirteen encounters.
Italy probable line-up: Buffon; Bettarini, Nesta, Legrottaglie, Panucci; Fiore, Perrotta; Del Piero, Totti, Pirlo; Vieri